Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-04-30
10TH REGIMENT SECOND CAVALRY.

THE sKIRMIsH AT GILLETTs, BELOW TRENTON
If what the Standard said about the skirmish has
drawn forth the following article, which We copy
from the Hillsboro' Recorder, we are glad of it.
Never has it been more difficult before to get at the
facts Of so small an sffair. The writer, however,
does us injustice Our remarks which reflected on
ly upon those who blame-worthy, if indeed any
were, were based upon the proposition, that the ru-
mors were true and we said enough to indicate our
disbelief of them, and to vindicate the regiment
against censure, which could in any event, only at
tach to few members Of it. We are glad to be able
to give the facts from undoubed sources The arti-
Gle says:
I" This Regiment lately known as Spruill's and so
long treated as the stepchd Of the State, in being
detained in camp or moved from place to place, Kit
trers, HEREFORD Edenton, Newbern, unarmed, un-
horsed and neglected in such manner as was well
calculated to morty their PRIDE the men especially,
when they saw another Regiment of the same arm
of the SERVICE pctted and Supplied at an early day
with every appointment desired, seems to be slngu-
larly unfortunate In the rumors put in circulation
respecting their operation against the enemy, and
the adoption of these as truth by the public
press. One company of this Regiment is the Orange
Cavalry, in which natural interest is felt in this
l
was widely reported that this Regiment had fled
ingloriOusly and created panic among the other
troops. 1t turned out upon the publication IN this
paper Of the letter of Lieutenant Graham then COM
handing the Orange Cavalry, that though not undrr
the fire of the enemy, this company and that OF
Capt Hayes of the same Regiment remained in
position, dsmounted the field of battle until all
the other troops except the Regiments of Vance and
Avery. and all the high officers, had not only re-
hnt},,, Ibid
behind them leaving them TO make their way best
they could up the right bank of the river and
BrceS creek And to add to their difficulties their
horses had mysteriously disappeared from the
where they had been tied but were found with the
rallied army on their arrival at Kinston two days
afterwards. Who rode them is secret to this day.
The Raleigh Registe' and Standard in their last two
Issues indulge in reflections upon this Regiment
without discrimination in relation to the recent skr-
miSh at the plantation of Mr.. Glctt where Lieut.
enant Colone! Robinson was wounded, in which they
to revive the old story to the affair New
BERN and conceive its truth to be put beyond casil
by the behaviour of the Regiment in the rencounter
at Gilett's advising the Lieutenant Colonel to
horse those who behaved so insloriously when they
next go into battle Before such language as this
is applied to men who are daily perlng their lives
for their country, the facts TO warrant it should be
we'll established. The frequency of fasehoods re-
specting events of the war, is sufficient to put all
on their guard against dsparasing rumors to the
courage of our troops Soldiers in the field have
little opportunity for defence against street TESTERS
railroad travellers the Statements Of the press aid
the articles Of war present great impcdlments to
freedom of discussion by them if they had more
The statement made as the foundation for these re-
Elections, is in substance this That Lieutenant
Colonel Robinson with this Regiment made an attack
the evening at the house Of Gilictt-that the
enemy had determined to surrender, and the officer
in command was in the act of delivering up his
sword, when ali our troops except fifty men, became
panic stricken and fled, upon which the enemy re-
newed the fight wounded and captured Col. Robin
son, and killed others Of his party As we learn the
facts they in effect as follows: Lieutenant Col
onel Robinson on the evening of Sunday the 18th
inst, was on scouting expedition with the coul-
panes Of Captains Strange, Bryan, Thomas and
Turner; being informed by negro of Mr.. Thomas
Giett that party of the enemy were at the house
City, and had tied him, the negro escaping. The
situation Of the house described-the number
of the party supposed to be $780, and it was deter
mined to attack them.
The assault was made at midnight The house
was about fifty yards from the great road from which
led lane with ditch on either side between it and
the fence, to palings surrounding the yard. The
Yankee sentinel was shot down at the mouth of the
lane. Our whole force advanced on horseback by
way Of the lane. Capt Bryan's company, who were
in 'front.' charged up near the paings and fred until
their ammunition was expended. Capt Strange's
company, next in order, who had orders to throw
down the fence Of the lane and enter the field to the
left after some confusion and delay, from the mum
Der OF horses pressing in the space executed
the order, and proceeded to the rear of the house.
Capt. Iholnass company, which was under the
charge of Sergeant next followed, but seemed to
have no distinct orders, filling up the lane AMI pre-.
venting the access of Capt. Turner's company, who
were to throw down the fence and enter the field on
the right of the lane. The first and second Lieu
tenants of this company and few others, pressed
through that before the cleared the ditch and fence
On this side and entered the field. Capt Turner, as
was afterwards sscertained had been wounded by n
shot near the mouth of the lane. and disabled
About thirty men followed Capt Strange, with whom
was It, Col Robinson. Capt Strange afterM ards
returned to our forces from the right side of the
house, but without the 1t. Colonel From the time
OF the hrst advance Of our troops, the enemy had
kept up severe fire from all the windows Of the
house, and from behind the palings of the yard
Our men bore this fire with steadiness but after the
ammunition of those in front had been exhausted it
seeming impossible to beat the enemy from their
position by men on horseback, an order was given
oy one OF the superior officers to retreat and the
column retreated. 1t Col. Robinson did not return
to his command, and is believed to have been wound
ed and captured behind the house. Our loss be-
siaes CoL. Robinson was one man killed and ten
wounded, and elev en- horses Seven of the enemy
were seen to be shot down. and more are believedto
have been struck with our shot The men of Orange
who got chance for shot at the enemy, all be-
hased wel.Sergeant Harris, Corpl Holmes, Pri-
Yates II. Bolden, j. Bolden, 4. Cole, Butler Lock-
hart. s. Walker had the side of his head skinned
by ball, Strayhorn had the stock of his gun shot
Oh, and several were thrown from their horses
This state jastfies no mputation upon any part
Of our forces such as has been freely INDUCED in by
railroad travellers and others for several DAYS nas
The miscarriage Of the enterprise, if it could have
oeen successful at all, was obviously from mistake
IN the plan OF attack, in not dsmountng the whole
command, or a large part of it which was armed
with guns and advancing foot in separate detaeh-
ments under cover Of the out buildings and enclo-
sures. ---.. .-, =-.a q. 3.
Capt. Turner has returned home in consequences
OF the injury from his wound and the fall from his
horse which it occasioped but We are glad to learn
shts hs + lmtpttss'y ~ 81